Work carrier



V May 17,1927.y 1,628,878

F. E. GARDNER woRK CARRIER Y Filed April 14. 1924 Patented May 17, 1927.

'UNITED STATES FREDERIC E. GARDNER, 0F BELOIT, WISCONSIN.

WORK CARRIER.

i Application filed April 14, 1924. Serial No. 706,274.

This invention relates to improvements in work carriers for machine tools, and h as particular reference 'to an improvedlcarrier of the type illustrated in my copendlng application Serial No. 7 01,357 filed March 24, 1924.

An important object of my invention 1s to provide a ythin metallic work carrier for feeding thin work blanks between the opposed faces of a plurality of operating elements.

Another object is to provide a carrier for thin work blanks which in its movement past an operating element will not bend or flex materially, and which will be firm and positive in operation.

A further object is to provide an improved support for the work supporting member of the work carrier.

Another object is to provide a carrier h aving a work supporting member of flexible material, and an improved means for tensioning said member and holding `it taut throughout its movement. y

More specically, the invention contemplates tlie provision of a work carrier for machine tools such Vas grinding machines, said carrier comprising a thin flexible strip for feeding one or more work blanks across the face of an operating element or between the opposed faces of a plurality of elements, a support for guiding said-strip throughout its reciprocation, and an adjustable tensioning means for holding said strip taut to prevent it from flexing against the face of either operating element.

Ancillary objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure-1 is an end view of a machine in which a work carrier embodying the features of my.

invention is used.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in theplane of line 22 of Fig. 1, and showing a plan view of the carrier.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view ofthe machine showing one end of the carrier.

Referring to kthe drawings, I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to a special type ofv grinding machine having opposed annular grinding elements arranged in parallel offset rclation, but it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to use with other types of machine tools and grinding machines.

The machine comprises generally a main frame or base 10 onthe opposite ends of whichare mounted a pair of spindle carriages 11. The parallel' spindles 12 are journaled in the carriages 11, and are driven by any suitable means (not shown). Alpair of heads 13 are secured to the adjacent ends of the spindles 12, andremovably support the overlapping annular grinding elementsy maybe provided with any desired number of work receiving pockets or apertures 18, one aperture being shown in the present instance. Work blanks may be fed to the strip and discharged therefromr manually or mechanically, as desired. To adapt it for very thin work blanks such as piston rings, thrust collars and the like, the strip 17 preferably is made of extremelyy thin` metal which is necessarily flexible. To tension and support the strip 17 its opposite ends are adjustably secured to a pair of upstanding brackets 19 located at opposite ends of a carrier slide 20. f j f The' brackets 19 are preferably formed integral wit-h the slide 20, and each ycomprises a pair of spaced parallel sides 21 connected by a transverse vertical web 22.i Adjusting bolts 23 having square or non-rotatable heads 24 fitting within recesses 25 in the inner faces of the webs 22 extendthrough the latter and are longitudinally adjustable by means of nuts 26. The heads 24 are forked to'lit over the ends of the strip 17, and are secured thereto, to adjustably connectvthem to the webs. It will be seen that by this construction, the strip 17 is held in a vertical plane, and can be properly tensioned by ad'- justing the nuts 26.

,The slide 2O is mounted to reciprocate transversely of the base and is supported by lateral brackets 27 bolted to opposite sides of the base 10. Depending flanges 28 are formed at each end and on opposite sides of the slide, and fit over lateral guides 29 on` the brackets 27. Thevslide 20 is held firmly in place throughout its reciprocation by a plurality of plates 30 secured to the under sides of the flanges 28 and fitting beneath the guides 29. y s

Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the slide 20. In the present instance an oscillating leveil 3l having a longitudinal slot 32 midway ct its length is supported at its lower end by a shaft 33 journaled in the base l0, and has a slotted connection 34 at its upper end with spaced depending lugs 35 on thc under side et the slide 20. The lever 3l is operably connected to a shal-t by 'a revolving arm 37 Vsecured to the latter, said arm having a pin 38 ef:- tending through and slidably engaging the slot 32. The shaft 36 is journaled in the base l0, and is driven by any suitable means (not shown). lt. will be at as the arm $37 revolves, the lever 3l will reciprocate the slide 2O and carrier strip 17 tofeed the work blank between the grinding elements 14, 'the rate 01"' movement being greatest when the work blank is completely in the grinding field. A

Itwill be apparent that l have provided a carrier which can be made ci: la thickness suitable for extremely thin work blanks and which will be held taut throughout its re-y ciprocation, 'thereby preventing coi'itact with the faces of the grinding elen'ients. The adjustable connection between the supporting brackets on the ends or" the reciprocating slide and the ends of the carrier strip makes it possible to vary rthe tension as desired and to take up any slack due to stretching of vthe metal. The device is extremely simple in construction, and is positive and e'iicien-t in operation.

lVhile I have illustrated my invention with considerable particular-ity, it is to be understood that various modifications and alternative constructions may be made without departing rfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A grinding machine comprisinff. in combination, a base, a pair of annular grinding elements disposed in opposed rela.- tion on said base, `a slide mounted for -reciprocation on said base below said grinding elements, a pair ot brackets mounted on the. ends o' said slide, and a thin flexible work carrier adjustably secured at its opposite ends to said brackets and positioned to reciprocate between the opposed faces ot said grinding elements.

2. A machine'tool comprising,`in combination, a base, a pair ot operating elements mounted in opposed relation on said base a pair ot' lateral 'brackets secured to the side ot' said base, said brackets being formed with guideways on their upper edges, a slide mounted for reciprocation on said guideways, a pair of upstanding brackets munted on the opposite ends oi said a carrier strip secured at its opposite ends to said upstanding brackets, adjustable means for tensioningsaid strip, and means for reciprocating said slide.

A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, a plurali-ty of operating element-s mounted on said base, a pair of lateral brackets secured to the sides of said base, a slide mounted for reciprocation on said brackets transversely oi" said base a flexible carrier strip supported by said slide for reciprocation pastthe faces oi" said operating elements, means for holding said strip taut, and means for reciprocating said slide.

e. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, a pair of operating element-s mounted in opposed relation on said base, a slide mounted "for reciprccation transversely et said base, a flexible carrier strip supported by said slide 'io reciprocation between the faces oi' said operating elen'ients, means for preventing flexure of said strip, and means for reciprocating said slide.

A machine tool having, in combination a base, an operating element supported on said base, a slide mounted to reciprocate transversely of saitl operating element, a pair oi brackets carried by said slide, a carrier strip supported by said brackets parallel to said slide for reeiprocation across the 'face o1c said operating element, means tor pre-venting Viexure of said strip, and means .tor reciprocating said slide.

6. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, an operating element mounted on said base, a pair of lateralbrackets secured to opposite sides of said base, Ysaid brackets having guideways extending transversely ot said base, a slide having depending flanges overlapping said guideways, a plurality of plates secured to said flanges and underlying said guideways, alexible carrier strip positioned for movement across the tace ot' said operating element, mea-ns on saidV slide for supporting said strip,`and for holding it taut, and means for reciprocating said slide.

7. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, an operating element mounted on said base, a slide 'mounted torreciprocation on said base, a carrier ystrip positioned onv said slide Stor reciprocation across said operating element, means on said slide for supporting and tensioning said strip, and means for reciprocating said slide.

8. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, an operating element mounted on said base, a slide mounted for reciprocation transversely of said base and below said element, a flexible carrier member, means on said slide for supporting said member for movement across said element, means tor tensioning said member, and means for reciprocating said slide.

9. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, an operating element mounted on said base, a slide mounted for Cil transverse movement on said base, a pair of brackets mounted on opposite ends of said slide, a flexible carrier strip secured between said brackets and positioned to reciprocate across the face of saidl operating element, and means in one of said brackets for adjusting the tension of said strip.

l0. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, an operating element mounted on said base, a movable member mounted for reciprocation transversely of said base, a pair of brackets positioned on said member at opposite sides of said operating element, a flexible member positioned to move past the face ofv said operating element and connected at its opposite ends to said brackets, one of said connections being capable of adjustment to vary the tension of said strip, and means for actuating said member.

l1. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, an operating element mounted on said base, a member mounted for reciprocation transversely of said base and carrying a pair of brackets: located at opposite sides of said operating element, one of said brackets comprising a transverse Web, a flexible Work supporting strip positioned to move past the face of said operating element and secured at its opposite ends to said brackets, one end of said strip being adjustably secured to said Web, and means for reciprocating said member.

12. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, an operating element mounted on said base, and a Work carrier Vfor feeding Work blanksv across the surface of said element, said carrier comprising a movable support, a flexible member on said support for carrying said Work blanks, means `for preventing undue flexure of said member, and means for actuating said support.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto ailixed my signature.

FREDERIC E. GARDNER. 

